SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO ALLOW CROSSBOW HUNTING IN NEW YORK

Gallivan Says “It’s Time To Expand Opportunities For State’s Sportsmen”

ALBANY - Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announced today that the New York State Senate has again passed legislation (1699-B) to make the crossbow a legal hunting implement in New York State, and empower the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate rules and regulations to establish a crossbow hunting season and govern their use in New York.

“Hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation are an intrinsic part of New York’s cultural and historical identity, and a vital component to our economy, particularly in Upstate and Western New York,” the Senator said. “It’s foolish to deny New York’s hunters, and hunters who wish to visit, the opportunity to hunt with a crossbow, many of whom are simply incapable of using a traditional or compound bow due to age or injury. This legislation will expand the sportsman community in New York and draw additional revenue into our economy.”

Senator Gallivan has sponsored several legislative forums to discuss the issue of finally legalizing the crossbow in New York as a hunting implement, both in Western New York and in the State Capital.

Gallivan’s legislation has received formal support from the following organizations: The New York State Conservation Council, the New York State Farm Bureau, the New York Sportsmen’s Advisory Council, the Conservation Alliance of New York, New York Shooting Sports, the New York State Deer and Elk Farmers Association, the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, The Shooters Committee On Political Education (SCOPE), the New York Metro Chapter of Safari Club International, the Western New York Chapter of Safari Club International, the Adirondack / Catskill Chapter of Safari Club International, the New York / Tri-State Chapter of Safari Club International, and dozens of other community hunting organizations and wildlife federations.

Aside from traditional sportsmen organizations, many disabled, veteran, senior citizen and female hunting advocacy groups have expressed their support for this legislation, expressing that the inherent physical demands of bow hunting unnecessarily exclude many interested hunters from enjoying archery hunting.

“No issue looms larger for the sporting community than crossbow. For years crossbow enthusiasts have been forced to travel, spend their time and spend their money in any one of New York’s neighboring states that already allow crossbow hunting,” Gallivan said. “I have solicited the opinions and the input from dozens of hunting organizations and the overwhelming majority have indicated their desire to see crossbow hunting allowed in New York. It’s time to deliver.”

Gallivan’s legislation enjoys bipartisan support in both the Senate and the Assembly. Similar legislation passed the Senate in 2012, but failed to advance in the Assembly.